Display panel for imprinters

ABSTRACT

A DISPLAY PANEL FOR ASSOCIATION WITH AN IMPRINTER AND WHICH PANEL HAS ENGAGING SURFACES THAT INSURE PROPER ABUTMENT WITH THE IMPRINTER. THE PANEL ALSO INCLUDES AN ADHESIVE STRIP FOR BEING READILY HELD BY THE INPRINTER, THE WEIGHT OF THE IMPRINTER ACTING TO HOLD THE PANEL FIRMLY IN PLACE.

Sept. 20, 1971 D, P. NovAK Erm. 3,605,308

DISPLAY PANEL FOR IHPRINTERS Filed Nov. .12. 1969 Zw S..

MH l!! s Mt Ei l 1M A United States Patent O 3,605,308 DISPLAY PANEL FOR IMPRINTERS Daniel P. Novak, Parkridge, and David R. Main, Glenview, Ill., assignors to Frank Mayer & Associates,

Grafton, Wis.

Filed Nov. 12,1969, Ser. No. 875,922 Int. Cl. G09f 7/18 U.S. Cl. 40--125 2 Claims ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE A display panel for association with an imprinter and which panel has engaging surfaces that insure proper abutment with the imprinter. The panel also includes an adhesive strip for being readily held by the imprinter, the weight of the imprinter acting to hold the panel firmly in place.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a display panel which has abutting surfaces that insure that the panel is accurately and properly located with respect to the irnprinter. The panel also has an inwardly extending lower base, which contains an adhesive and the imprinter rests rmly on this base to hold the imprinter rmly in associated position. The conguration of the panel is such that it can be used on either side of the imprinter, remains rmly in place and provides a particularly pleasing appearance.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will appear hereinafter as this disclosure progresses, reference being had to the accompanying drawmgs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a display panel as applied to an imprinter embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an end view of the display panel as shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the imprinter and panel', and

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view taken generally along line 4 4 in FIG. 1 and showing the positioning or guiding surfaces of the display panel;

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT An imprinter 1 is of conventional character and has a heavy base member 2 on which is slideably mounted the carriage 3. The carriage is moved along the length of the imprinter which acts to impress a credit card or the like on the article to be imprinted. The imprinter also includes four foot pads 5, one on each corner, so that the rather heavy imprinter rests rmly on a flat surface such as a counter-top, table, or the like. These imprinters must of necessity, be located in a conspicuous and open location so that they are already available for use. Consequently, they often utilize a predominant location and are not entirely sightly in appearance.

The carriage 3 may protrude from either side and the imprinter also has lower, outer surfaces 6 and 7, at each end of one side thereof. Corresponding abutting surfaces 8 and 9 are located on opposite sides of the imprinter.

In accordance with the present invention, a display panel P provided for association with either side of the imprinter and which is rigidly and firmly held in place by the imprinter, but at the same time can be easily removed if desired. The panel is preferably formed of a plastic or other economical material that can be readily fabricated. The panel includes a large front surface S 3,605,308 Patented Sept. 20, 1971 ICC on which any desired printed matter, such as of an advertising nature can be easily applied. Thus, the panel obscures the imprinter from the public View and presents a nice appearance on the counter top as well as providing display space.

The panel also includes two side members i12 and 13 which are formed integral with the front surface and also includes a top surface 15 also formed integral with the rest of the panel. The sides and top act to reinforce the entire unit.

The panel also includes a rearwardly extending base, which, as noted in FIGS. 2 and 3 extends considerably underneath the imprinter and particularly under the feet of the imprinter along one side thereof. A strip of adhesive 16 is located on the upper side of the base, preferably for the entire length thereof with the sticky side facing upwardly. Thus, the imprinter feet rest directly on the sticky material and act to hold the panel firmly in place and prevent shifting of the panel from beneath the imprinter.

In order to precisely locate the front of the panel at the proper distance from the imprinter so that there is sufficient clearance for the carriage to` slide by the rear side of the panel, the panel is provided with locating surfaces 20 which are formed by the recesses in the panel, lower corners. Such a surface 20 is located at either end of the panel and is adapted to abut against the surfaces 8 and 9 located along the imprinter.

Thus, it is a relatively easy matter for the operator to simply lift the imprinter slightly along one side, insert the panel base beneath the imprinter and slide the panel toward the imprinter until the abutting surfaces engage. The imprinter is then lowered onto the base so that the foot along that side of the imprinter rests on the base and is engaged by the adhesive.

The panel may also have a raised portion 24 around its periphery, more particularly, around the display surface so as to present a neat and finished appearance and also to provide reinforcing for the entire panel.

RESUME The present invention provides a one piece, rigid display panel having a base which is held firmly in place by the imprinter, and also have locating surfaces which hold the panel in properly spaced position from the imprinter so as to provide clearance for the sliding carriage. Furthermore, the display panel can be used `on either side of the imprinter, presents a neat appearance, and provides a display surface in an otherwise wasted space.

We claim:

l. A display panel for use with an imprinter having side surfaces along the side thereof and also having foot members along the side thereof, said panel including a generally upstanding display surface which is generally coextensive in length with the imprinter, two side members extending from said display surface and toward the imprinter with which the panel is used, a top wall extending from the display surface and toward the imprinter with which the panel is used, and a base extending from the display surface and adapted to be positioned underneath the feet of the imprinter along one side thereof; said front panel, side walls, top wall and base fabricated as an integral unit to provide a rigid display panel, a reinforcing projection located generally around the display surface to present a finished appearance and act as reinforcement of the panel, said panel also including a pair of locating surfaces located intermediate the length of said side members, said locating surfaces adapted to abut against the corresponding side surfaces of the imprinter, whereby the panel can be slid into proximity with the imprinter so that the locating surfaces of the panel and side surfaces of the imprinter abut to thereby locate 4 the panel relative to the imprinter, an adhesive member References Cited located on said base and on the upper side tlhe'reof,.and UNITED STATES PATENTS whereby said adheslve can be engaged by said lmprmter feet, and the imprinter sets rmly on the base t0 hold the 2,223,433 12/1940 Sternberg 40-125 panel in proper position relative to the imprinter. 5 3,083,493 4/1963 Malachuk 40-336X 2. The display panel as set forth in claim 1 wherein 3,256,628 6/ 1966 Green Lt0--124.1

said locating surfaces are formed by recesses in said front panel. LAWRENCE CHARLES, Primary Examiner 

